But Frankel, a perennial leading trainer at Hollywood Park and Santa Anita, figures ``it`s just another day at the ballpark`` for Ruhlmann, a $40,000 yearling who ran his first three races in France.

``If you want he`ll go in :56,`` said Frankel, who worked the colt without blinkers last week, with blinkers Tuesday. ``He likes to run. He wants to take off. A little jock wouldn`t be able to hold him. He`d be like a flee on his back. They`re just passengers.``

Ruhlmann`s ability was well documented at Bay Meadows Jan. 24 when, racing for the first time in blinkers, he won the 1 1/16-mile El Camino Real Derby by six lengths in 1:39 2/5, a second off the American record. After stalking the brisk early fractions of :45 1/5 and 1:09 1/5, Ruhlmann ran the fastest mile in Bay Meadows` history -- 1:33 2/5.

Before his victory in the Grade III event, however, Ruhlmann`s career was hard to gauge.

One of two colts sent to trainer Andre Fabre in France by Moss, Ruhlmann finished second once and seventh twice in three turf races last summer. The results were puzzling.

``The report was, before he ever ran, that he was the best 2-year-old colt they had,`` Frankel said. ``After the first time he lost, they guaranteed he`d win the second time.``

With the disappointing races, and Fabre thinking of gelding him, Frankel asked for Ruhlmann to be sent back to California.

``His first race in France (a second) was good,`` Frankel said. ``In his second, though, he didn`t get to the gate quietly. Over there he`d get hot and he was running off in the post parades, and they don`t allow ponies to go to the gate. They also never tried him with blinkers. They probably figured they didn`t need to because he was such a hot horse.``

After winning his American debut Nov. 20 by seven lengths at Hollywood, Ruhlmann finished second to Cougarized (fifth in Hialeah`s Grade I Flamingo) Dec. 2, and checked in third Dec. 23 after setting the pace in a 1 1/16-mile allowance race.

Frankel dismisses the last two races. ``They were bad races,`` he said. ``He should have beaten those horses. He just didn`t fire.``

After firing in eye-popping fashion in the El Camino, Ruhlmann was sent East by Frankel because ``things just set up well.``

``He ran his last race (the El Camino) Jan. 24, and I didn`t want him to run his races too close together,`` Frankel said. ``I guess it was all a matter of good timing.``

Despite his speed, Frankel expects jockey Pat Day to have Ruhlmann off the pace. In a race which features plenty of early speed in Frosty The Snowman, Forty Niner and Notebook, that could be one of the best places to be.

``I`d rather see someone in front of him,`` Frankel said. ``I`d like to see him third or fourth. He can relax.``

Frankel, who trained Al Mamoon and Garthon, said Ruhlmann will race with blinkers Saturday.

Frankel is sure Ruhlmann will fare well against the Florida Derby competition. ``It looks like he belongs,`` he said.